Express Bats Come to Life in Doubleheader Split with Cubs
Published on May 14, 2018 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Round Rock Express (15-24) racked up 15 runs on 22 hits in a doubleheader split with the Iowa Cubs (12-24) on Monday afternoon at Principal Park. The E-Train won game one 11-4 before dropping game two 6-4.
Express starter RHP Tyler Wagner shined in game one, holding the Cubs to just one run on four hits and a walk in 4.0 innings. Rehabbing Texas Rangers RHP Tim Lincecum (1-0, 8.31) collected his first win since July 19, 2016 despite allowing three runs, only one of which was earned, on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings of relief. I-Cubs RHP Alberto Alzolay (2-2, 4.10) suffered the loss after giving up five runs on nine hits in 4.2 frames.
Round Rock dropped a four-spot in the second innings as C Cameron Rupp and SS Nick Noonan each tallied two-run homers. Iowa responded in the bottom of the frame thanks to a two-out Ryan Court single followed by an RBI double off the bat of LF Stephen Bruno.
The two teams traded solo runs in the fifth. Express 2B Andy Ibanez blasted his second homer of the season in the top of the inning to push his team's lead to 5-1. With Lincecum on in relief in the bottom of the frame, SS Mike Freeman tallied a one-out double before scoring on an ensuing Efren Navarro single. Lincecum allowed a single to C Chris Gimenez then walked RF Bijan Rademacher, but was able to work out of the jam.
The E-Train bats exploded for six runs on five hits in the top of the sixth. With two outs and the bases empty, Noonan sparked a rally with a single. After RF Scott Heineman walked, CF Jose Cardona singled to load the bases. 1B Tommy Joseph then stepped to the plate and sent a pair of runs home with a double. LF Willie Calhoun walked to re-load the bases. Ibanez' hot afternoon continued with a two-run single, then Rupp doubled home two more runs to up the gap to 11-2.
Iowa attempted to rally in the bottom of the frame. Lincecum walked Bruno, then CF Wynton Bernard reached on catcher's interference. After enticing DH Ali Solis into a flyout, Lincecum was replaced by LHP Adam Loewen. The lefty walked Chesny Young before a critical fielding error by Ibanez allowed a pair of runs to score. E-Train RHP Deolis Guerra retired the side in order in the seventh inning to preserve the 11-4 victory.
In game two, Round Rock LHP David Hurlbut (0-3, 6.23) suffered the loss after giving up all six Iowa runs on 10 hits and a walk in 3.1 innings. Cubs RHP Jen-Ho Tseng (1-4, 7.85) picked up the win despite allowing four runs on six hits in 5.1 frames.
Iowa jumped on the board in the first inning thanks to a Court walk followed by back-to-back singles courtesy of Young and Navarro. The Cubs extended their lead in the third as Navarro, Gimenez and Rademacher each singled in consecutive order, the latest of which scored a run. A two-run Freeman single stretched the gap to 4-0.
An inning later, Court and Young again collected back-to-back singles. A Navarro single scored Court, then Gimenez poked a sacrifice fly to deep center field, allowing Young to race home and extend the Iowa lead to 6-0.
Round Rock's comeback attempt began in the fifth inning. SS Hanser Alberto opened the inning with a double prior to a Cardona walk. Heineman then put his team on the board with an RBI double. 3B Christian Lopes gave the E-Train two more runs with a clutch two-out single.
Ibanez tallied his fourth hit of the day with a one-out double in the sixth inning. An ensuing Alberto single moved his fellow infielder to third, then RF Destin Hood grounded out, leaving just enough time for Ibanez to sprint home with Round Rock's fourth run of the game.
Rehabbing Texas Rangers RHP Ricky Rodriguez tossed a perfect sixth inning of relief while striking out two in his second outing of the season. Former Express and current Cubs RHP Anthony Bass allowed a pair of baserunners in the seventh, but Round Rock couldn't capitalize, ultimately falling 6-4 to force a doubleheader split.
The Express and Cubs conclude their four-game series on Tuesday afternoon. Round Rock RHP David Ledbetter (0-4, 4.91) is scheduled to face Iowa RHP Alec Mills (1-4, 4.72). First pitch at Principal Park is set for 12:08 p.m.
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